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Never be afraid to ask for help!
The websites listed below offer resources.
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Peer Pressure
Everyone wants to be accepted by their peers. This desire to be accepted makes it difficult to say no when faced with peer pressure. Self-confidence is crucial for navigating situations where you feel pressured to do something that is not right, makes you uncomfortable, or crosses your boundaries.
When you find yourself in situations where you are feeling pressured by your peers, here are some ways to handle the situation:
- Have the Confidence to Walk Away
- Surround yourself with Positive Peer Partners / (Friends that have a positive impact on you)
- Set Limits and Say No
- Take a step back and assess the situation and the consequences of the action(s)
- Use your parents as an excuse. For example: “Sorry I can’t, my parents will ground me for months” or another example: “If my parents find out about it, I’m going to get myself into big trouble.”
- Talk to a trusted adult about the issue
Here is a link to a website that contains more advice on handling peer pressure:: Kidshealth.org/en/kids/peer-pressure.html
Cyber Bullying
Cyberbullying is using the internet or other digital spaces, such as social media sites, to bully or harass others.
Harmful bullying behavior can include posting rumors, threats, inappropriate remarks, a victim’s personal information, or using hurtful labels.
Victims of cyberbullying may experience lower self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, and various negative emotional responses, including being anxious, frustrated, angry, or depressed. If you are being bullied online, you can try:
- Message them directly and inform them that they are making you feel uncomfortable and need to stop
- Block them on all platforms
- Report the incident to the platform they are using
- Notify a trusted adult or trusted friend about the situation
National Website to Talk to a Trusted Adult if You are Being Cyber Bullied:
https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat
More Help on Cyberbullying and How to Deal With It:
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cyberbullying.html
Bullying
Bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
Bullying can be physical or mental. Any form of bullying can hurt a person’s everyday life.
Here are some things you can do to deal with being bullied:
- Inform a trusted adult on the situation
- Tell them calmly and confidently to stop bullying you
- If they don’t stop, walk away from them
If you are being bullied and are feeling harassed, frustrated, depressed, uncomfortable, unsafe, are experiencing lower self-esteem, or having angry thoughts, here is a link to a website where you can talk to a trusted adult.
National Website to Talk to a Trusted Adult:
https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat
Here are local teen support groups:
Anxiety and Depression Group for Kids
Additional Therapy Groups:
Knoxville Teen Therapy
Dr.RJ Teen Therapy Life Coach
Knoxville Teen Therapists